Impact of Human Papillomavirus on microRNA-21 Expression in Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer-A Systematic Review

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jul 23;25(15):8038. doi: 10.3390/ijms25158038.

Abstract

Recently, microRNAs (miR) were identified to have potential links with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) oncogenesis, specifically miR-21. Since HPV is a major risk factor for the development of these diseases, we aimed to search the literature regarding miR-21 expression in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC. The search was performed in the PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases. The research question was as follows: Is there a difference in the tissue expression of miR-21 between patients with HPV-positive and those with HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC? After conducting a meticulous search strategy, four studies were included, and they had a pooled sample size of 621 subjects with OSCC and/or OPSCC. Three studies did not find any significant difference in miR-21 expression between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC. The findings of this systematic review showed that there are no differences in miR-21 expression between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that there are still insufficient studies regarding this important subject, because understanding how HPV influences miR-21 expression and its downstream effects can provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC/OPSCC development and progression.

Keywords: HPV; microRNA-21; oral cancer; oropharyngeal cancer.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Human Papillomavirus Viruses* / genetics
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / virology
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms* / virology
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / virology

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • MIRN21 microRNA, human

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.